This past weekend’s visit by Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi to the United States was described by Thaçi as a “historic visit and meeting, since it is the first delegation from Independent Kosova (Kosovo) to visit Washington”.

 

The leaders of the Republic of Kosova (Republic of Kosovo) met on Friday with US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who stressed her confidence in Kosova’s future and stated that the Ahtisaari Plan will “guide the population of Kosova along their long road towards building their democracy and multi-ethnicity…In this road of theirs, they [the population of Kosova] have a good friend – the USA.” Rice added that “Kosova is independent, and will be independent.”

 

Undoubtedly, this visit and meeting between allies is very important for the Republic of Kosova and the USA. The USA benefits from meeting to ensure the successful development of Kosova as a justification for both their vital role in leading NATO against Serbia’s aggressive military campaign to exterminate and evacuate Kosovar Albanians during the War in Kosova, and of course, for their post-war efforts to guarantee and coordinate Kosova’s Declaration of Independence on February 17th 2008.

It may seem odd to mention the USA benefiting first, however one must notice that the issue of Kosova is of great geopolitical importance, hence Russia’s vehement opposition to Kosova’s Independence due to it compromising Russia’s sphere of influence in the Balkan region. Of course, Kosova and the wider Albanian population of the Balkans benefit greatly in finally having a strong ally – the USA. The “Albanian question” which refers to the political question of self-determination for Albanians living in 6 Balkan states; Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro, was seemingly solved on February 17th of this year. The overwhelming majority of the Albanian political leadership throughout these states accepted that the independence of Kosova allows for the rest of the Albanian population to meet in Europe (and not in one Albanian state).

This point was recently emphasized by President of Albania, Bamir Topi, in an interview with Serbian news agency, Beta, where Topi stated that Albanians seek to come together in a greater Europe and not a “greater Albania”. The truth is, without American and Western European support or “good friends”, Albanians would not have even been able to declare Kosova independent and as a result agree towards this greater Europe concept, hence the importance of good friends (who happen to be super-powers).

Therefore, a good friendship with the USA, good overall multi-lateral relations with Europe and the rest of the World, and implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan to integrate the Kosovar Albanians and all of the minorities of Kosova is imperative towards Kosova’s successful development. Kosova’s development as a result lends to a more stable Balkans, one in which the wider Albanian population have accepted their political reality and strive towards co-existence in future European Union accession.

The Republic of Kosova must be careful not to fall into a lull, that is, Prishtina has to be very active in lobbying for its own recognition and not rely too heavily on its allies. Further recognition is true legitimization of independence; Prishtina must convince the nations of the World to begin the democratic processes towards creating bilateral relations with their new country. Forty-three (43) countries have thus far recognized the Republic of Kosova; this result can be analyzed from both a positive and negative perspective, however true harmonization of both perspectives can only be achieved with a greater number of recognitions.

The USA and the other good friends of Kosova have done their part, first off with recognition and afterwards through the very important financial contributions awarded at Kosova’s Donor Conference in Brussels. The countries that are yet to recognize Kosova must remember that they too are important to the republic. The world has 193 countries; Kosova needs allies of all masses that it can collaborate with politically, economically and socially. Recognition of the Republic of Kosova is a credit to democracy, a credit to liberty, and a credit to regional and global security; it is time for the one hundred and forty-nine (149) remaining nations of the world to realize that and welcome this new country and friend.

 

Drilon writes from Prishtina.